Elizabeth Barrett Browning set the standard for epic poetry during the Victorian time period. Writing about contemporary social issues which differentiated her poetry from the poetry created by the Romantics; whom often focused on remembrance of things past and the future. Elizabeth lived from 1806-1861, and although born during the Romantic time period she blossomed as a writer later in life, which classified her as a Victorian writer. Readers find a lot of moral and emotional ardor in Elizabeth's work. In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem "Mother and Poet," the mother is not completely condemning the pursuit of freedom; instead, revealing the very agonizing pain of loss associated with battle--prompting the question, “What good is freedom …show more content…
Which eventually leads to their inevitable doom. A great representation of this can be found when the mother says, "To teach them...It stings there! I made them indeed/speak plain the word country. I taught them, no doubt, /That a country's a thing men should die for at need." (21-23). While the children are still in the earliest stages of learning speech, senses, emotions the mother is already molding their minds to support the monarchs, even unto death, and to support war. This approach has in essence taken away the boys’ freedom to choose, and formulate their own opinion on war. The author is trying to point out the flaw found within society at the time. Women were to conform to society and pursue motherhood, and produce brave soldiers who would in turn make that same conformity, and fight for the monarchs in battle. Elizabeth wants the reader to recognize the lack of freedom and captivity society faces when trying to conform. As read the mother says, "When King Victor has Italy's crown on his head, /And I have my dead/What then? Do not mock me. Ah. ring your bells low." (84-86). The mother cannot enjoy her country's liberty, because she is grieving the loss of her sons. Following the traditions to bear children, and raise them to be soldiers has taken away her freedom and the freedom of her sons. She is now a prisoner to her own